🏅 QS World Rank #96
University of Alberta — Full Profile & Ranking 2026
Western Canada’s energy research leader — QS World Rankings 2027 #96
The University of Alberta is a public research university in Edmonton, founded in 1908. In the QS World University Rankings 2027 (published June 2026) it is 96th in the world. This guide covers its faculties, admission, how its tuition model works, scholarships, advice for applicants from Pakistan and the questions applicants ask most.
University of Alberta Overview
The University of Alberta opened in 1908 in Edmonton, the capital of Alberta, with Henry Marshall Tory as its first president. Its main North Campus sits along the North Saskatchewan River valley. It also has Augustana Faculty in Camrose and Campus Saint-Jean, the French-language faculty.
The university is a member of the U15 Group of Canadian Research Universities. It is known for engineering and energy research, pharmacy, agriculture and artificial intelligence. Nobel laureate Michael Houghton, who co-discovered the hepatitis C virus, holds a professorship at Alberta.
University of Alberta Rankings — QS World University Rankings 2027
The University of Alberta is 96th in the QS World University Rankings 2027, published by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) in June 2026.
This is a QS-specific result, not one universal ranking. Times Higher Education, U.S. News and ARWU use different methods and can order universities differently.
Source: QS TopUniversities (QS World University Rankings 2027, 18 June 2026).
Key Strengths & Programs
Alberta is known for:
- Engineering, including petroleum, chemical and civil engineering
- Energy and environment research, linked to Alberta’s resource economy
- Artificial intelligence and machine learning, including reinforcement learning research
- Pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences
- Agricultural, life and environmental sciences
- Medicine and dentistry, with the Alberta School of Business also well known
This page does not quote subject ranks. Check the current QS subject tables for exact positions.
Explore Related Guides & Rankings
Admission Requirements
International applicants apply online. Requirements depend on the faculty and programme, so confirm them on the official admissions pages.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate | Secondary-school results equivalent to Canadian standards, with the subjects your faculty requires. Engineering and science programmes expect strong mathematics and science preparation |
| Postgraduate | A relevant Bachelor’s degree, and for thesis programmes usually a supervisor. Some programmes have extra prerequisites |
| English | Proof of English proficiency is required for most international applicants. Check the accepted tests and scores for your programme |
| Documents | Transcripts, identification and any programme-specific documents |
| Study permit | A Canadian study permit is required after admission |
University of Alberta Acceptance Rate
The University of Alberta does not publish one acceptance rate for international applicants, so this page does not quote one. The old “about 58%” figure was not tied to a source. Entry to engineering, medicine and pharmacy is more competitive than the university average.
Practical Application Checklist
- Choose your programme and read its entry and language requirements
- Check the application deadline for your intake
- Book an English (or other required) language test
- Prepare transcripts, identification and any required documents
- Apply and accept your offer
- Meet the visa or residence-permit conditions for your destination
- Plan funding for tuition and living costs
- Verify every date, fee and requirement on the University of Alberta’s official website before submitting
Tuition & Costs
The University of Alberta sets international tuition by cohort, and we could not find a single per-year dollar figure on the pages we could read. How it works, according to the Registrar:
- Tuition guarantee: your annual rate is set for your admission term and stated in your offer letter. The guarantee covers the typical programme length plus one year, so a four-year programme is guaranteed for five years
- What the guarantee covers: instructional tuition only. Non-instructional fees and residence fees are billed separately and can rise
- Planned increases: a 5.5% increase applies to new undergraduate students in Fall 2027, with larger changes for Computing Science (aligned with Engineering) and Nursing
- Estimate your cost: use the Registrar’s cost calculator
The old range of CAD 35,000 to 45,000 a year was not tied to a source, so it has been removed. Living costs in Edmonton are extra.
Source: University of Alberta undergraduate tuition model. Fees, dates and rules change each year.
Scholarships & Financial Aid
- Undergraduate Scholarship (International): listed by the university for international undergraduates who hold a study permit and have completed at least one year at Alberta, based on superior academic achievement. The listing we saw had a 31 March 2026 deadline and no amount.
- Entrance awards for new students: we could not confirm a named recruitment scholarship or its amount, so check the University of Alberta awards pages for your intake.
- Graduate funding: thesis-based graduate students are often funded through supervisors and department awards. Check your programme.
- More funding ideas: see our guide to fully funded scholarships for 2027.
University of Alberta for Pakistani Students
Pakistani applicants apply as international students:
- English: prepare an accepted English test. Our IELTS preparation guides can help
- Budget: plan for tuition, residence and Edmonton’s cold-climate living costs
- Study permit: apply for a Canadian study permit after your offer
- Graduate study: contact a prospective supervisor before applying
Campus & Student Life
- The North Campus is along the North Saskatchewan River valley in Edmonton
- Augustana Faculty in Camrose and Campus Saint-Jean offer smaller and French-language settings
- Edmonton has cold winters, so check housing and transport before arriving
- The university has large engineering, health and science research facilities
Research & Career Opportunities
- Alberta is research-intensive, with strong ties to energy, health and agriculture
- The province has large energy, technology and healthcare sectors
- Graduates work in engineering, healthcare, research and business
- The university does not guarantee employment, salary or immigration outcomes
Notable Alumni
- Richard E. Taylor, Nobel Prize in Physics 1990, studied at the University of Alberta
- Michael Houghton, Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2020, is a professor at Alberta
- Check the official alumni pages for other notable graduates
Contact & Location
University of Alberta
116 St and 85 Ave, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2R3, Canada
Official website: ualberta.ca
Use the contact details on the official site for admissions questions, as email addresses and phone numbers change.
Frequently Asked Questions
The University of Alberta is ranked 96th in the QS World University Rankings 2027, published in June 2026.
Alberta’s engineering faculty and its location in Canada’s main oil and gas province give it strong industry links. Check current programme details.
It is best known for engineering and energy research, pharmacy, agricultural and life sciences, and artificial intelligence.
Yes. It is a member of the U15 Group of Canadian Research Universities.
Tuition is set by cohort and guaranteed for the typical programme length plus one year. Your offer letter states your rate.
The Registrar lists a 5.5% increase for new undergraduate students in Fall 2027, with larger changes for Computing Science and Nursing.
Yes. Besides the North Campus in Edmonton there are Augustana Faculty in Camrose and Campus Saint-Jean.
Richard E. Taylor, who shared the 1990 Nobel Prize in Physics, studied at the University of Alberta.
Yes. Pakistani applicants apply as international students with transcripts, English evidence and a Canadian study permit.
Check the University of Alberta’s official pages at ualberta.ca. Fees, deadlines and rules can change.
Compare University of Alberta With Other Top Universities
Disclaimer: This page is based on the QS World University Rankings 2027, University of Alberta’s official pages, and other publicly available sources, last checked in October 2026. Fees, rankings, deadlines, and admission rules change, and no admission, funding, visa, or employment outcome is guaranteed. Always verify current details directly with the university before applying.